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Siesta Key Coffee Rum
Drum Circle Distilling, the makers of Siesta Key Rum, has added a new coffee rum to their lineup. Based in Sarasota, Florida, we have watched the brand expand over the years by adding stills and aging barrel space along with several limited releases. Their new Coffee Rum is their first addition to their core portfolio since they introduced their Toasted Coconut Rum in 2015.
The rum is made in small batches using copper pot stills. After much trial and error, they developed a method of infusing the coffee flavor similar to a cold brew technique using locally roasted Colombian coffee beans and cane syrup. After the flavor infusion, the rum is blended to 40% ABV and bottled onsite at the distillery.
Siesta Key Coffee Rum
Appearance
The 750 ml bottle features the new label and bottle size the company is using. The neck is shorter and it is easier to place on the shelves. I also found it a little easier to handle when pouring. I like the vibe of the new label designs and how they convey all the information about the product to the consumer.In the glass, this rum is very dark and just barely clear when you hold it up to the light, presenting a dark brown color. The color lightens considerably to a dark amber when poured into the tasting glass. Swirling the liquid created a thick band that dropped fast-moving legs that collectively evaporated quickly.
Nose
Smelling the liquid there is no surprise that roasted coffee is front and center. There is an undertone of caramelized vanilla and a whiff of alcohol.
Palate
Sipping the rum, I knew that the coffee flavor would lead the way. It was the swirl of other flavors that came in that surprised me. I discovered toffee, roasted nuts, sweet vanilla and a lightly acidic cacao note. As the flavors began to fade, a light bitterness countered the sweetness of the rum as it lingered into a nice long finish.
Review
In general, coffee rums are tricky and the way the flavor is infused can introduce its own set of challenges. The method that Troy Robert and his team used presented a strong flavor profile without the bits of bean or syrupy mouth feel I have found with other coffee flavored rum products. This coffee rum was well-balanced with the sweet vanilla of the cane syrup balancing the bitter of the toffee/charred bean notes. This rum would be great to use with Bailey’s Irish Cream, in a Rum Old Fashioned for a special twist, or for a special twist a coffee rum milkshake. The team at Drum Circle Distilling continues to impress with their products and am happy that this one is part of the main line instead of a limited-edition release. If you are exploring coffee rums for a seasonal concoction, this one is a great one to start with.
